Right-wing ‘Freedom Caucus’ launches at Oklahoma Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s Legislature became the newest member of a national network of conservative lawmakers this week with the launch of the latest Freedom Caucus chapter.

The State Freedom Caucus Network is a right-wing national organization with an official presence in 12 state legislatures. The network builds off of the House Freedom Caucus in Congress. The caucuses are known for creating disruption, stalling legislative action and garnering publicity and attention.

Members of Oklahoma’s caucus include Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, who will serve as chairman, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, and Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland. Deevers will serve as the Senate vice chair and Olsen as the House vice chair.

Jett declined to disclose the names of other caucus members beyond those present at the press conference on the steps of the state Capitol. He said Freedom Caucusaffiliated lawmakers in other states have faced punitive measures.

Four fellow Republican lawmakers stood with him, including Deevers, Olsen, Sen. Dana Prieto, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, who is term-limited and will not return to the Legislature.

“We are not disclosing our full membership,” Jett said. “We are disclosing for those who are behind us and those who choose to disclose. We want to make sure it remains focused on policy, not personality and not politics. There have been concerns that there may be punitive action against members who are affiliated with our organization.”

Jett said the caucus will “diplomatically” appeal to leadership and look for opportunities to educate other lawmakers prior to votes, but will do whatever it takes to represent the voices of conservative Oklahomans.

“At the end of the day, we reflect the values of the people of Oklahoma who are counting on us to stand up for them, so whatever means necessary to make sure that the voice of taxpayers are reflected in the discourse, the respectful discourse in this building,” Jett said.

He said that the caucus will also focus on educating and informing fellow lawmakers on important issues.

“I see the role of the Freedom Caucus, as we preserve freedom for the families back home, is to also educate and provide meaningful input to our colleagues before they make a vote,” Jett said.

Olsen said the priority of the caucus will be in line with “conservative” and “biblical principles.”

“Here in Oklahoma, we will work together to advance policies according to certain conservative principles,” he said. “Among them, the Constitution, limited government, personal responsibility, family responsibility, lower taxation, low regulation, traditional marriage and family.”

Olsen said it is his understanding that the Republican caucus aligns with these beliefs, and he looks forward to a “congenial and amicable relationship as we work together to advance conservative principles.”

But Freedom Caucus legislators in other states have had a contentious relationship with fellow Republicans.

Andy Roth, president of the State Freedom Caucus Network, said Missouri caucus members were stripped of their chairmanships. These actions came as a result of caucus members stalling legislative action, according to reporting from the Missouri Independent.

Roth said in South Carolina members were removed from the House Republican caucus. That occurred when some caucus members declined to sign a loyalty oath promising not to campaign against other Republican members, which is against party rules, according to reporting from Stateline.

The State Freedom Caucus Network launched in 2021 with a mission of electing and organizing “patriots who will serve in our state capitals to fight federal overreach and stand firm against those … who prioritize seizing political power over representing constituents,” according to its website.

U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen, a Republican representing Congressional District 2, spoke in support of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus at the press conference. He is part of the House Freedom Caucus in Congress.

Brecheen said the intent of the caucus is to create a unified and organized conservative voice in the Legislature.

“There’s something to be said that in the midst of a battle, when someone is struggling and doesn’t know if it’s the right decision, to be able to have an organized structure that’s meeting, is talking, deliberating, and saying, ‘Look, this is the truth,’” he said.

Oklahoma Voice (oklahomavoice. com) is an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, supported by grants and donations. Oklahoma Voice provides nonpartisan reporting, and retains full editorial independence.